On Media

'Hang up on this dude, man'

By MACKENZIE WEINGER

10/11/2012 03:32 PM EDT

An Ohio radio host hung up on Senate candidate Josh Mandel on Thursday after a back-and-forth exchange about the state treasurer’s hiring practices.

Canton, Ohio, WHBC radio host Ron Ponder asked the Republican candidate about the scrutiny he’s faced for picking a number of young staffers from his state treasurer campaign to serve in the Ohio Treasury Department.

“Joe Aquilino, I believe you pronounce his name, a former campaign aide, was named director of debt management, paid $90,000, had no experience in finance and you sent him to a beginner’s course in the subject. How do you answer those charges?” Ponder asked.

“Well first of all, Ron, I thought I was going on the Ron Ponder show, not the [incumbent Sen.] Sherrod Brown campaign show,” Mandel said.

Ponder said he was “just trying to get answers” to questions many had about the salaries of some members of Mandel’s department.

“I’m asking you questions that people have asked you, and I’m just trying to get answers. I’ll do the same thing with Sen. Sherrod Brown so don’t accuse me of being a lackey for Sherrod Brown. I’m just asking you questions that my listeners want to know,” Ponder said.

Ponder also asked several times whether Mandel’s former campaign manager Michael Lord was getting $100,000 from his office. “Is it yes or no?” Ponder asked twice, before once again saying, “Josh, just answer the question.”

The radio host then ended the interview, saying, “OK, thanks for the conversation, Josh. I appreciate the time, next time you want to come on and you want to answer some questions, we’ll ask you some questions, but don’t come on and just use this program as a foil to get out your campaign material. All we want to do is ask you some questions and get some answers, OK?”

As Mandel began to say “ladies and gentlemen,” Ponder cut in.

“Appreciate it, Josh. Hang up on this dude, man,” the radio host said.